Essence: Encouraging One Another (Hebrews 3:13)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Encouraging one another  (Cheerleading  – chapter 8 p.89-92)

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

[parakaleō: exhort: to urge, caution earnestly, or warn] "Encourage" may not convey the original Greek context.

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13 ESV)

You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. (Hebrews 3:13 NLT)

What are some of the ways you are tempted to harden you heart?

1. The unfairness of life in general; why do bad things happen to good people, and vice versa?

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NLT)

2. We live in an environment of intolerance. We can easily stop trying as the fear of failure increases.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV)

 “I know God will not give me anything I cannot handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much” - Mother Theresa

We encourage others by saying or doing things that make God more visible to them. The more we know of them, the more valuable our contribution can be. (p. 91)

Wrap Up: God’s word always encourages and supports relationship and community. The whole of Scripture tells us we are in this together. Observing one another with an attitude of “it’s none of my business” is not living in a relationship of truth and love.